The dogs have been at Animal Control since Sept. 27, when officials seized them from the home the Messinas rented on South Solon Road in Spring Grove.

Animal Control officials have said many of the dogs were severely malnourished and living in feces.

Four of the dogs will go to a Pennsylvania breeder, Susan Fioravanti-Weaver, who staked her ownership claim at an earlier hearing. She said she had no knowledge of the alleged abuse. She has paid about $2,500 for the care of the dogs by Animal Control.